Kindness – My World (and recipes too)

This Too Shall Pass. Tomorrow’s a Brighter Day.

It is said and it is true that it’s the little things in life that carry us through. God doesn’t always speak from the mountain top…

If you have been following along with these blogs lately, you may already realize that when you keep yourself open to signs, symbols and messages from above, they appear in sometimes vast numbers.

Having felt like crap for a couple of days and knowing that I needed to lean into my faith more than usual, Palm Sunday night I was up off and on silently singing the “Our Father” (It’s my go-to thing to do when my brain will not turn off.) In between my pitch perfect renditions (ha ha), I was talking to Jesus; telling Him my troubles, asking His help, and also thanking him for my Blessings. I told Him that I knew tomorrow would be a brighter day and I promised to continue to try to do my little bit of good wherever possible.

The next morning I got in the car and headed off to work. One of the cool parts of my church job is that I get to be the first (and sometimes only) person to receive special donations sent in for special reasons. Monday the first envelope I opened was from someone I hadn’t heard of before. Inside was a sizable check with a hand-written note attached. “Please make sure this is used to help someone in need at this time.” Of course I cried. What a beautiful thing to do. The second envelope I opened was yet another designated donation. This one had instructions that it is to go to help pay for the meals my husband and I are creating for people who are isolated at home. More happy tears.

To be honest when I finished opening the daily mail, I was so giddy with joy I felt like dancing. The spirit of love and charity is alive and very well in the world right at this moment and thank you, Jesus, I get to experience it first hand nearly every day.

That afternoon I got in the car and when I flipped on the radio, the song that was playing was saying these exact words, “It’s gonna be a brighter day.” I couldn’t tell you the artist, the station, or the tune, but I heard those words and my heart smiled. Indeed.

I had been dreading having to stop at the store, but I forced myself to do it anyway. The was no line and very few people. As I pushed my cart along the isle, a house flag stopped me in my tracks. “Enjoy the little things”, it said, and beneath the words were beautiful, happy flowers in vases. I grabbed it and threw it in my cart. I don’t own a flag pole. This is going on my front door.

Later on the way home I passed a sign out in front of a closed restaurant. It said, “This too Shall Pass.” I know the owner put this up because of the pandemic, but I also know God intended me to see it when I did. I don’t have a lot of memories of my Mom teaching me profound things in life but this phrase is one she did teach me early on and it’s one I have used as a mantra forever.

It is true that “This too shall pass”. While we are waiting, let us all be open to the serendipitous signs that are out there serving as tiny cheers from beyond. We will get through this. We are not alone.

From The Angels:

You are going through a time of rapid spiritual growth. Enjoy the process!

During this time, you might feel a mixture of many feelings: confusion, excitement, fear, and wonder. You love your renewed connection with the Divine, and you wish you could read, study, learn, or meditate on a full time basis. Simultaneously, though, you may worry about the implications that your spiritual studies will have on the rest of your life. What impact will your new spiritual pursuits have on your job, marriage, or friendships? These worries create a fear that may erode the enjoyment your spiritual studies bring you.

Surrender these fears to God, dearest one! Trust hat you are supported, loved, and guided each moment. Don’t worry about how your future will blend with your spiritual growth! Trust that the same Power that brought you to your spiritual spiritual path will also take care of everything else for you. After all, this Power supports all of the planets in the sky. It will surely support you perfectly, too.

You are in communication with your angels, and the messages that you are receiving are very real indeed. Trust them.

This message is validation from your angels that you really are hearing them. You have been receiving repetitive messages through your feelings, dreams, visions, inner voice, or knowingness. Are you listening and trusting these messages? Are you following them?

If you get an. Inclination to call someone, o somewhere, or read something,, it’s important to follow this guidance. Your angels ask you to give all your Danube’s or worries. About Divine. Guidance to them. Know that you truly are communication with heaven, and enjoy the conversations!

You have all of the Power of your Creator within you! All the power of Divine love, wisdom, and intelligence is available to you. You have the spiritual power to see angels and the future. You have intellectual power to tap in to the universal wisdom of the One Mind. You have emotional power to empathize with others, and physical power that is truly unlimited.

The angels ask you to give them any fears you may have connected with being a powerful person. Your angels see a quiet and beautiful aspect of your true power, stemming from the only power in the universe: Divine Love. Allow yourself to shine with this radiant love so that your true power can radiate out into the world in miraculous ways.

Today’s Prayer:

Dearest Lord,

Thank you that in the midst of all of this fear and uncertainty, the signs of your love still shine through. Although it’s easy to turn a blind eye and to dwell in feelings of boredom and fear, you help us to look up and to recognize love can and still does shine bright in the world.

Help us all to shine where we are planted -to do our little bits of good wherever we can. Help us to take care of one another, which is what you have always taught us.

Thank you for your love,

Amen.

Lyrics to “A Brighter Day” by Kirk Franklin

When I close my eyes and think of you
And reminisce on all the things you do
I can't imagine my life without you
It's like paradise now I know that it's real (um)
It's a mystery for someone 
to give their life just for me
What you did on calvary
Makes me wanna love you more

[Chorus]
I never knew I could be so happy
And I never knew I'd be so secure because of your love
Life has brand new meaning
It's gonna be a brighter day, brighter day

Never thought that I would smile again
I never thought the dark clouds would end
Never thought the dark clouds would end
Never thought that I could have a friend
That would keep me never leave me alone (um)
Jesus you're my everything
The only one that makes my heart sing (heart sing)
Now I know what real love means
It's everlasting, lasting.

[Chorus]

Nothing can compare to the joy ya bring an ever lasting love affair
Jesus my life will never will be same I found someone who truly cares

Click here to be taken to yesterday's message

New Year’s Eve, 2019

This is the post that I left on Facebook on New Year’s Eve just before the clock struck midnight.

I seriously cannot think of a single thing to say about 2019 except, “Thank you. Praise Jesus.” It was at times really hard, but because I focus on Blessings so much I can honestly say I cannot give you a list of the negative stuff because I really do not remember. 🙏

Today on the way home I changed lanes and apparently -unbeknownst to me- took some late 60ish-mid 70ish man’s spot. He chased me down in his car, laid on his horn, screamed out his window -all the while giving me the finger out his drivers side door. A normal person might have honked and given me the finger. This man relentlessly laid on his horn and didn’t stop until he finally saw me mouth the words, “I made a mistake, I said I was sorry. What else do you want?” (Even at this point I knew, if he could get away with it, he’d have gotten out of his car in order to scream at me some more.)

I don’t mind telling you all that I cried all the way home and I am crying as I write this. What that man did not know is that I was on my way home from helping my elderly parents all day today. I was already driving home shaken, knowing my Mom and Dad are not long for this earth. I was driving home trying to fathom what it will be like when they are gone.

When I saw that man with his middle finger in my face, I wanted the world to stop and reverse. When I was growing up adults, especially men, conducted themselves with respect. If they were upset by a mistake in traffic, they didn’t lose their dignity and behave as vile as this man did. In fact, they were much more kind and gracious.

Key word: Dignity. (Most people maintained it.)

Worse. I looked in the passenger seat of his car. There sat a woman looking out the window as if this is a daily occurrence.

So. If I have a wish for 2020 it’s this: Let’s all find our compassion for one another. We all make silly mistakes (especially in traffic). You have no clue what someone else has been through in a day. Stop for just a moment and remember how YOU would like to be treated and do THAT ALWAYS. Period.

I would be lying if I said I wished that vile man well. I don’t. He makes me mad. But the truth is that HE is probably just like me, dealing with things he is unprepared for. Tonight when he tries to go to sleep, I highly doubt he still has the same contempt for me as he did today in traffic. So yup, he will be in my prayers.

After all of this. Tonight is STILL my favorite Holiday. When the clock strikes midnight, it’s all new again.

We can ALL find a way to do better in the coming year and THAT makes me happy. I love you ALL. Happy New Year!

Do Unto Others

Yesterday I was looking through my memory feed on Facebook and I came across the following post…

Yesterday I was looking through my memory feed on Facebook and I came across the following post. I cannot recall what I was going through at the time, but a dear friend of mine knew about it and she sent me this mantra to say each morning:

“I am loved, called, chosen. I am rich in every way and generous on every occasion. I’m anointed, appointed, equipped, and enabled by the power of God that works mightily within me! No weapon formed against me (including words) shall prosper and no enemy scheme against me will succeed. I live, breathe, and serve powerfully under the shelter of the Most High God. Amen” ❤️

Did you read it? Now read it again in your own voice and apply it to yourself. It’s the truth.

Driving to work this morning I was thinking about this beautiful sentiment. A lot of us are continually praying; yet how many of us are stopping regularly to note that our prayers aren’t just notes inside helium balloons floating off into the sunset? No. Our prayers are communications with a living God who listens, hears, and responds to our calls. It’s so important, now more than ever, that we remember that God isn’t some far away entity from long ago.

When I used to teach my angel classes, people were often so amazed when I told them that yes, guardian angels are in fact, real; and yes, you actually have a guardian angel in your presence at this very moment.

Stop and think about that. We are not alone here with no protection or guidance. YOU are NOT alone at this very moment. You also have a guardian angel or two or three. You sometimes have an unseen army of them with you.

Why is this important? One would have to be unplugged from virtually all media sources, living alone in a tent in the middle of undeveloped land, in order to not see that our society (the good old USA) has gone completely bonkers. The level of hatred, self righteousness and entitlement I’m seeing on a daily basis is enough for me to cry out to God to please come save us all from one another.

It’s 2018. How is it acceptable that there are people in positions of persuasion publicly calling for violence against elected officials and others they disagree with? How is it acceptable for two best friends to end a friendship because they have different political opinions? When is it appropriate for people to refuse to obey the law because they don’t “agree” with it? When did we become such hypocrites, constant complainers, and worse, JUDGES of every single person, place and thing?

For the record, we are still being called upon to treat one another as we would like to be treated. That means being kind and compassionate to one another.

I tell Charlie all the time that it’s not our job to judge anyone. It isn’t our job to jump on a bandwagon just because everyone else is. It’s not our job to fight with anyone who doesn’t agree with us. Our job is to serve God in the best way we can. Often this means turning the other cheek.

I know there are people out there who might be saying, “What are we supposed to do when we see/believe someone is being unfairly oppressed-just sit there and do nothing?” If it’s within the law; by all means intervene, but if it’s not, or if it’s not safe or appropriate go to war with your prayers! Believe it or not, prayer is an action and it yields far more positive results than screaming your opinions at a fellow human being. I am here to tell you that God is NOT removed from us and our prayers only go unheard when we aren’t saying them.

Period.

Today’s prayer:

Dearest God,

Help us all to take a giant step back and try to look at ourselves through your discerning eyes. Are our actions making you pleased and proud? Help us to be more disciplined with self reflection. Help us to remember that You are still speaking truth into the hearts of men and women and that in order to truly hear You, we must be silent and listen. Help us to remember that we are to pray for one another and that this means we are to pray for ALL of human-kind, especially for those with whom we do not agree.

Amen.

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12

Pieces of Heart

How well are you treating yourself and others lately?

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection”― Gautama Buddha

This morning I was looking through my Facebook memory feed and I saw the entry above. It struck a chord; so I posted it again and within minutes, some of my friends started sharing it. Isn’t it the truth? Why is it so hard for the majority of humans to focus on our positive attributes rather than our negative ones?

I know the quote up there says that it’s not up to others to keep you encouraged and it’s true; but oh, does it help when we infuse this good advice with a healthy dose of kindness to one another? It doesn’t take a supreme effort to make another person feel good. In fact, whenever I am able to bring a smile to someone else’s heart, it makes my own heart smile.

This morning I made a quick stop on the way to work in order to pick up lunch. I stopped at my favorite grocery store and picked out something Keto-approved (because I am on a never ending quest to get healthier. That counts as self-love, right?). Standing in the checkout line I overheard the cashier call the customer in front of me by name. My first thought was that she must be a regular shopper. Still, it made me smile inwardly because the cashier was so kind to her.

When it was my turn, she asked me how I was, we exchanged pleasantries and she rang up my items. When she handed me the receipt, in the sweetest tone, she said to me, “Thank you, Bobbe…I really like your name!” I thanked her, wished her a great day, and I left the store smiling. I am sure the store management probably encouraged her to do this, but it didn’t matter to me a bit. It was kind. Her delivery was genuine and it made me feel good. As I pulled out into traffic, still smiling, I couldn’t help but think about how important it is to be kind to one another. She had just altered the course of my day in a wonderfully simple, yet highly positive way.

Last night we performed our regular once-per-week catering job. It’s the Fellowship Meal for the church where I work (doing finances), and I am Facebook friends with most of the people who attend. If you subscribe to this blog you already know that I adore cooking. Few things make me happier than mastering a new dish or preparing pretty food. I regularly share my food porn and my recipes on Facebook, because it’s what I enjoy. (Who doesn’t love food?)

Admittedly, there was a time when I wouldn’t share this blog anywhere because I feared what people may think. My food blogs could be construed as bragging; my inspirational writing could be construed as me believing I am above others; my angel musings could be construed as me being delusional or crazy. I was worried that people I work with might think I am (gasp) “new age”, even though I am actually the furthest thing from it. I was worried about offending people who don’t like what I like… You get where I am going with this.

When I turned 54 a month ago today, I made the decision to live in authenticity. To me, this means the inside matches the outside; it means sharing exactly who I am without concern over what other people think or whether they believe the same as I do. It means that what others think of me is none of my business. Am I living my life in accordance to what I believe God wants? Am I feeling good in my own heart? To me, nothing else should be of higher importance. Besides, if we were all exactly the same, where would joy live? Ponder this a while. I’ll wait.

Last night just as we were about to serve dinner, one of the church congregants -(a lady I love to “silly-banter” with)- came across the room to tell me she wanted to tell me something. I was expecting our normal silliness, but instead she was so sincere. She proceeded to say the nicest things to me with regard to the variety of things I do well in my life; the cooking, the writing, the accounting, etc. I don’t want to repeat the entire exchange here, but it was one of the loveliest and most unexpected compliments I have ever received. Apparently, she’s been reading my blogs and so she is knowing me better. <grin> What she didn’t know, (or maybe she did), was just how timely she was, as I’ve been feeling rather low since Easter.

Driving home last night, I was telling Charlie what she said when tears formed in his eyes. He took my hand in his and said, “It’s all true, Bobbe. You don’t get enough credit or give yourself enough credit for who you are.” He doesn’t know it, but every time he gets emotional when I tell him about something like this, it cements the fact that I know I am exactly where I belong.

I don’t know if it’s true that I don’t get enough credit. (I am aware I don’t give myself enough credit because people tell me this all the time!) The reason I share this is to illustrate that kindness matters. Two times in the past twenty four hours, I’ve experienced unexpected kindnesses and my spirit has done a complete about-face. In fact, I feel transformed.

I am a generally positive person. Imagine if I wasn’t? How might these kindnesses have affected me even more?

Thank you God, for those people who unabashedly offer pieces of heart. Please help me to persist in trying to follow this path as well.

May pieces of heart sprinkle all of the paths we travel and may God grant us the insight to know when to sprinkle our own.

Happy Friday!

Love, Bobbe

Blessing You & You & You & …

Blessing:
God’s favor and protection
– may God continue to give us his blessing
A prayer asking for such favor and protection
– a priest gave a blessing as the ship was launched
Grace said before or after a meal
A beneficial thing for which one is grateful; something that brings well-being
– great intelligence can be a curse as well as a blessing
– it’s a blessing we’re alive
A person’s sanction or support

If anyone were to overhear what goes on in my brain on a daily basis, she might think I either sound like a broken record or someone who has lost her senses. The mere thought of this makes me giggle because; Oh, the things I hear and do and say in my brain!

I suspect that as a child, someone I revered must have told me to be conscious of other people at all times. I can remember being in church watching all of the people file through the aisles on the way to communion. It was a game for me to try to Bless each and every person that walked by without missing a single soul. The times I was able to keep up and master this, I left with a huge sense of joy at my accomplishment and an even bigger sense of wonder about what goodness might be waiting for that person in the future.

These days Charlie laughs at me when sometimes in the middle of watching a television show or attending a lecture where someone has shared a poignant real-life story, I’ll raise my hands towards them in silence. My heart is always saying, “God Bless you on your journey, thank you for sharing”. Having now lived with me as long as he has, he doesn’t ask me what I’m doing. He knows. I’ve even taught him to Bless our vegetable and herb plants to thank them before we cut them for use in a meal.

I wonder what the world might be like if we spent most of our days conscious of the fact that we’re all on a journey, trying our best to get through the challenges life presents to us? I wonder what might happen if we were actually spending our time Blessing one another, over spending our time being oblivious to one another? I see people every single day driving in the car–one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the smartphone, scrolling or talking. What if we put those phones down and instead spent our time in the car, communing with God, just praying for the strangers we pass on the road?

Years ago someone anonymously sent the following article to my email box and I saved it because it speaks volumes. It speaks to what goes on in my head and heart every moment of every day. We ask one another for prayers, but how many Blessings are we bestowing?

The Gentle Art of Blessing
By: Pierre Pradervand

As you walk, bless the city in which you live, its government and teachers, its nurses and street sweepers, its children and bankers, its priests and prostitutes. The minute anyone expresses the least aggression or unkindness to you, respond with a blessing: bless them totally, sincerely, joyfully, for such blessings are a shield which protects them from the ignorance of their misdeed, and deflects the arrow that was aimed at you.

To bless means to wish, unconditionally, total, unrestricted good for others and events from the deepest wellspring in the innermost chamber of your heart: it means to hallow, to hold in reverence, to behold with utter awe that which is always a gift from the Creator. He who is hallowed by your blessing is set aside, consecrated, holy, whole. To bless is yet to invoke divine care upon, to think or speak gratefully for, to confer happiness upon – although we ourselves are never the bestow-er, but simply the joyful witnesses of Life’s abundance.

To bless all without discrimination of any sort is the ultimate form of giving, because those you bless will never know from whence came the sudden ray of sun that burst through the clouds of their skies, and you will rarely be a witness to the sunlight in their lives.

When something goes completely askew in your day, some unexpected event knocks down your plans and you too also, burst into blessing: for life is teaching you a lesson, and the very event you believe to be unwanted, you yourself called forth, so as to learn the lesson you might balk against were you not to bless it. Trials are blessings in disguise, and hosts of angels follow in their path.

To bless is to acknowledge the omnipresent, universal beauty hidden to material eyes; it is to activate that law of attraction which, from the furthest reaches of the universe, will bring into your life exactly what you need to experience and enjoy.

When you pass a prison, mentally bless its inmates in their innocence and freedom, their gentleness, pure essence and unconditional forgiveness; for one can only be prisoner of one’s self-image, and a free man can walk unshackled in the courtyard of a jail, just as citizens of countries where freedom reigns can be prisoners when fear lurks in their thoughts.

When you pass a hospital, bless its patients in their present wholeness, for even in their suffering, this wholeness awaits in them to be discovered. When your eyes behold a man in tears, or seemingly broken by life, bless him in his vitality and joy: for the material senses present but the inverted image of the ultimate splendor and perfection which only the inner eye beholds.

It is impossible to bless and to judge at the same time. So hold constantly as a deep, hallowed, intoned thought that desire to bless, for truly then shall you become a peacemaker, and one day you shall, everywhere, behold the very face of God.

From The Angels:

Divine Guidance: Trust and follow your intuition. It is God and the angels speaking to you.

You are being Divinely guided right now. The gut feelings you have, the knowingness, the visions, or the inner voice are all trying to tell you something, and it is very important that you trust and follow this guidance.

If you drew more than one card, pay close attention to the cards that are on either side of the “Divine Guidance” card-they contain important instructions for you. These nearby cards feature facets of the message that the angels seek to impress upon you.

Answered Prayer: Fear not, beloved one! Your prayers have been heard and answered.

All of your prayers are always answered. Sometimes you may not feel this way, because the answer comes in unexpected ways. Perhaps you receive an intuitive feeling or a new opportunity appears-or a book falls off the shelf. The angels answer our prayers very often by giving us ideas or information in these everyday ways.

By drawing this card, the angels request that you be extra observant. Notice everything that you hear, say, think, and feel. Be especially alert to help that comes to you, and be sure to accept that help. You do deserve this assistance, and many times God enlists people to act as Earth angels who bring you answers to your prayers.

Archangel Michael:“I am with you, giving you the courage to make life changes that will help you work on your Divine life purpose.”

Additional Message: “I have come to you because you asked God for safety and protection, and because you asked about your life purpose. Since you are a light-worker, I am overseeing the fruition of your Divine life purpose. You have been a light-worker for a long time, and you have felt different from others, isolated at times. Be assured that you have never been alone, and that you never will be alone.”

“When you feel pushed to make a change at work or at home, that may be my influence, encouraging you to make your life’s purpose a high priority. I can rearrange your schedule and support you in other ways to make your path smooth and harmonious. Simply ask me, and it is done. I will also help you feel safe and comfortable during your life’s changes.”

Today’s Prayers:

May the Warm Winds of Heaven
Blow softly upon your house.
May the Great Spirit
Bless all who enter there.
May your Moccasins
Make happy tracks
in many snows,
and may the Rainbow
Always touch your shoulder.
~Cherokee Blessing

Hold on to what is good even if it is a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe even if it is a tree which stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do even if it is a long way from here.
Hold on to life even when it is easier letting go.
Hold on to my hand even when I have gone away from you.
~Pueblo Blessing
The great blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach; but we shut our eyes, and, like people in the dark, we fall foul upon the very thing we search for, without finding it. ~Seneca Blessing

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
— 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV)

This That JOY!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If you are having issues with angst and depression or you just need to uncover your own joy; find something to do that’s in service of someone else.

I think I’m victim of the change of seasons. One day it’s perfectly beautiful here and the next it’s forty degrees. I’ve had a low fever coupled with a few random symptoms for a while now. While I don’t think it’s serious, it’s enough to make me feel run down and achy. Yesterday was the first day I considered staying home from work because of it. Not only did I not feel up to going to do my regular work, Charlie and I had slated ourselves to help with kitchen duty for the Church’s weekly, parish-wide meeting. I decided to push through and I am EVER so happy I did!

Who knew how much fun it would be to get to cook in a huge kitchen and then serve a huge group of people? I know it’s not every person’s idea of a great time, but it is mine. I love to cook and being in that kitchen took me back to grade school days where the biggest worry I carrived was whether to choose french fries or mashed potatoes.

The harder I worked, the better I felt and when it came time to stand on my side of the table and serve the people coming through the line, in true Grinch fashion, I felt my heart start to grow and grow. It was so fun to look across and see all of the faces and take a moment to try to make each one of them smile. I think by the time the night was over, I was floating a few feet above the ground and my illness? What fever? What symptoms?

Last night I revisited the Bobbe of days gone by, who IS very social and loves to cater to people. I do know where my joy comes from…it’s in connecting with and in serving others. Trust me when I say that not every person I encountered yesterday had a bright, shining face, and not everyone was responsive. It didn’t matter. Joy’s got game; it doesn’t recognize snarls and snarky remarks. Joy only sees other people with compassion and love.

I would have been justified if I’d chosen to stay home yesterday. Thank GOD I didn’t or I’d have missed the most fun I’ve had in quite a long while.

When I finally collapsed in bed last night I truly felt I’d been of good service. Nothing replaces that feeling, except perhaps what it feels like to first be falling in love. I think joy lives equally in both experiences.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If you are having issues with angst and depression or you just need to uncover your own joy; find something to do that’s in service of someone else. Go out of your way to be kind when you don’t feel like it. Help someone who cannot reciprocate. Offer a heartfelt compliment to a stranger. Tutor a student. Visit with the elderly. Find something to do that takes the focus OFF of you and places it onto someone else.

Joy lives there.

ACTION

An Angel Reminder: A man is the origin of his actions. Aristotle

Action is movements. It is the exertion of energy or influence. As humans, we are in action a lot of the time. We take action, or we go in and out of action. If we are the origin of our actions as Aristotle said, then who are you? What have your actions in the past hour said about you? How about in the past year? How about your actions toward certain people? What is is that your actions are trying to get across? Once we take action in response to something, we can’t undo the action. We can know many things, but we will never really know the effect of and extent of all our actions.

Think about your actions today. Think about the actions of the angels. Is it always possible to think before we act? Do you recognize all your actions, or do you sometimes look back and ask, “Did I do that?” Ask the angels for help in acting consciously, with courage and compassion.

An Angelic Reflection: With the angels in my life, I can be a true action hero.

From The Angels:

Answered Prayer: Each day connect with your soul allow the divine light in. Your prayers have been answered.

In your life find a way to experience spiritual devotion through prayer or meditation in a way that brings out devotional qualities. These qualities or energies are healing. They drive away anger. All of your prayers are always answered.

The angels request that you be observant of everything you see, hear, touch, taste, smell, or sense in any way it is an aspect of Divinity.

Celebration: This time of light is a time of rejuvenation, of recharging your batteries. Take time to celebrate and rejoice in the uplifting of spirits. Lighten up. Acknowledge your diligence and give yourself credit and appreciation for all that you have accomplished. Stop and smell the roses. Stop to appreciate the beauty and majesty that is present in your lives.

Focus on what you are creating, not what is crumbling. Remember: neutral compassion, this is especially important for what is in your personal experience. Witness and bless. All the angels join with you in celebrations of light at this time, it is by this light that you are united, and by this light that you have created all that is on its way to you. What a glorious time to rejoice in all that is good and all that is true.

Don’t give up – for while it appears that you are on a solitary path, you are supported by reams of fellow beings of light on all around you. If you do nothing else at this time of celebration, remember the unseen party that is going on everywhere!

Serenity: You are free from stress and your disposition is of greater inner peace and tranquility.

Even if your unable to resolve a current task at hand, your peace of mind and faith will allow you to trust that the angels and God will take care of you. If something in your life isn’t working, be willing to release it to God and the angels.

The angels reassure you that tranquility and refreshed peace of mind is within you. As you work toward serenity, and inner peace your life’s unforeseen problems begin to lessen and disappear.

Blessed are they who give
without expecting even thanks in return,
for they shall be abundantly rewarded.

Blessed are they who translate
every good thing they know into action,
for ever higher truths shall be revealed unto them.

Blessed are they who do God’s will
without asking to see results,
for great shall be their recompense.

Blessed are they who love and trust their fellow beings,
for they shall reach the good in people and
receive a loving response.

Blessed are they who have seen reality, for they know
that not the garment of clay but that which activates
the garment of clay is real and indestructible.

Blessed are they who see the change we call death
as a liberation from the limitation of this earth-life,
for they shall rejoice with their loved ones
who make the glorious transition.

Blessed are they who after dedicating their lives
and thereby receiving a blessing, have the courage and faith
to surmount the difficulties of the path ahead,
for they shall receive a second blessing.

Blessed are they who advance toward the spiritual path
without the selfish motive of seeking inner peace,
for they shall find it.

Blessed are they who instead of trying to
batter down the gates of the kingdom of heaven
approach them humbly and lovingly and purified,
for they shall pass right through.

Peace Pilgrim’s Beatitudes – Mildred Norman

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart
Down in my heart

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart to stay

And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart
And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart

Weighted Words

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

It’s always fun when I’m going through old writings and I find something that is still as applicable today as it was the day I wrote it. What’s even better is that I can remember exactly where I was and what I’d done that day. The Janitor I speak of below is someone I never knew very well, but he wrote his name in my heart on more than one occasion, with a kind word and deed. I returned the favor.

The “words have weight” phrase is something that lives in the forefront of my brain lately. I suppose it’s because I’ve been hurt quite a bit this week, so I want to be mindful of the way I speak to others, the way I speak to myself and the manner in which I carry myself.

Years from now I’d like for someone out there to be reading through old writings and find a good memory of me…just like I remember my former office building’s maintenance man. I can’t remember his name, but I absolutely remember the kindness he showed to me.

“Purpose is the foundation of a meaningful life.”

Late at night when the quiet finds me, I think about what the world and its people mean to me. Thoughts of the day’s conversations flow through my brain and sometimes land in my heart. Not everything finds a resting place there, because so often the days are filled with meaningless words and deeds.

Some nights there is utter silence inside; a stillness there that almost beckons tears. It arrives without warning, though not without purpose.

It comes as a reminder that the words I speak during the day very often carry no meaning at all. Why would I think someone would be interested in the man who cut me off at the corner or the bank teller who was rude to me or what silly thing a friend encountered? Is anyone ever truly interested when someone relates such a story?
Is this type of speech important in daily life? What is it I said during the day that really meant anything?

Thinking back I realize…

I wished the janitor a happy day and then I hugged him for no reason. This was the single important, purposeful thing I’d done. I’d touched him with my wishes and with my hug. Everything else was wasted air. I hadn’t touched anyone else’s heart. No wonder the silence beckons tears of emptiness.

Which begs the question, can we be fulfilled on a daily basis if we fail to touch another’s heart? Could it be possible this is why there is so much depression in our society?

What would I speak of if I were prevented from relating the days events or of my interactions with others?
What would anyone speak of?

Obviously there is a choice to be made at any given moment each day. We can choose to pollute the air with tales that mean nothing to us or to our captive listener OR we can choose to make a difference by touching others.

Yes, you guessed it. Random words of kindness and love coupled with acts of love where appropriate.

Go ahead. Experiment. I dare you to.

From The Angels:

Divine Guidance:
Trust and follow your intuition. It is God and the angels speaking to you.

New Beginnings
A clean slate is presented to you as you now encounter fresh opportunities and novel experiences.

Embrace the new in your life, including new opportunities, people, and projects. The angels know that change can be frightening, and they surround you now with loving energy. Call upon them whenever you feel afraid of facing novel situations. They will boost your confidence and energy so that you can enjoy your new beginnings.

Sometimes we cling to old routines because they are familiar. By drawing this card, the angels ask you to be open to new approaches to life. Perhaps they will teach you a new way of looking at situations. Or maybe they will call on you to learn a new skill. Whatever the new beginning is for you, allow yourself to be stretched by the fresh circumstances. We learn about ourselves through new experiences.

Freedom
The angels guide you to freely express your true thoughts and feelings with love.

You may feel trapped right now by life conditions. By drawing this card, the angels ask you to realize that you are the only jail keeper that ever surfaces in your own life. Whenever you realize that you have the power to be free, freedom follows. Everything that you do in your life is by choice, and you are free to choose again. Even prisoners are free to choose their thoughts so that they feel peace and happiness under any conditions.

The next time you begin a sentence with the words, “I have to ______,” please stop. Ask God and the angels to show you some alternatives. They will either help you complete the task from a loving mind-set so that you don’t feel trapped, or they will guide you to do something else that you will love.

Self-Acceptance
You are a perfect child of God, and every part of you is wonderful. Your angels guide you to let go of negative self-judgments and to enjoy being you!

“You are much too hard on yourself,” your angels say to you through this card. Although you enjoy having high standards, it’s important to view yourself through loving eyes. Berating yourself only makes your spirit sink. Self-improvement comes from a positive mind-set.

See yourself through your angels’ eyes, and you will see someone who is a perfect and holy child of God. Although you have made mistakes in the past, there is nothing that you could have ever said, thought, or done that would change God’s love for you. The angels see past your surface mistakes; they see the beating heart of God’s love within you. They love you unconditionally, and they ask you to love yourself in the same way!

Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me;
give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense;
and the lifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Psalm 141:1-2

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God;
it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise;
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100